The Welsh Government urgently needs to outline how it plans to deliver alternative sustainable transport links to communities in Wales following its decision to scrap some of the most high profile road building schemes, organisations have said.
The decision was announced on Tuesday by deputy minister for climate change Lee Waters MS, following a review of road building projects in Wales. Mr Waters said all infrastructure projects in future must now “reduce carbon emissions and support a shift to public transport, walking and cycling”.
The announcement affects more than 50 road-building projects around Wales including plans for a third Menai bridge and the controversial plans to expand the A55 in Flintshire, known as the Red Route, both of which are scrapped. Instead of the Red Route, improvements will now be made to the A494 at Aston Hill.
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Other projects scrapped include future improvements to the M4 that had been proposed around Cardiff, Bridgend, Port Talbot and Swansea, as well as several mid Wales safety schemes. The improvements set out for the A483 around Wrexham will no longer go ahead and a review on how to reduce car usage will take place instead.
Other projects have been scaled back or postponed, with only 15 of the projects reviewed by the panel to go ahead in their original form. The plan to complete the A4232 around the south side of Cardiff, have been classified as local authority schemes and will be considered for grant funding in future if they meet the Welsh Government's new criteria.
While the Llandeilo bypass in Carmarthenshire and the hugely expensive dualling of the A465 through the south Wales Valleys have been allowed to progress. Smaller-scale improvements that have had the green light to proceed include the A4042 corridor from Pontypool, the M4 through Torfaen, the A487 between Fishguard and Cardigan and the A4076 at Haverfordwest.
Proposals for new roads will have to pass a strict criteria proving it will not increase carbon emissions, increase the number of private cars on the road, increase road speeds nor negatively impact the environment.
The year-long review by the Welsh Roads Review Panel was set up in September 2021 and led by transport expert Dr Lynn Sloman, during which 55 road projects were paused and reassessed.
Reaction from across Wales has been mixed with environmental and transport campaigners welcoming the move, calling it “world-leading” and “bold”. While members of the construction industry warned it could put jobs at risk.
CBI Wales director Ian Price said: "Having rejected or revised dozens of transport projects across Wales, the ball is now in the government’s court to produce an alternative solution with urgency. Communities have been waiting a long time to receive government help.
"Modern economic infrastructure is proven to help grow an economy and attract additional employment. As every day goes by with no shovels in the ground, these communities remain vulnerable to the challenging economic circumstances and cost of living crisis we are all enduring.
"With the Roads Review published, Welsh Government has within its power the ability to move rapidly to deliver modern, integrated, and sustainable transport network to these communities across Wales.
"I sympathise with the panel members and the minister on what must have been a painstaking task. It’s now important that all social partners come together and help identify the most effective solutions to the remaining transport challenges these communities face."
Keith Jones, director of the Institution of Civil Engineers in Wales (ICE Wales Cymru) said: “There is no plausible path to net zero without significant transport emissions reductions – reductions that need to start being delivered soon. Transport accounts for 17% of Wales’s total carbon emissions, primarily from road vehicles.
"Globally, governments face difficult policy choices around constraining road transport demand without disadvantaging economic growth, certain geographies, industries, or populations.
"We need to invest in the ageing public transport asset base and low-carbon transport options to make the shift from cars practical and desirable. New road schemes will also need to consider how to manage the network more effectively rather than just adding capacity.
"The decision by the Welsh Government reflects these challenges, however it is essential that a wider assessment of the transport system takes place to set out plans for improving public transport and active travel options.”
Ben Cottam, head of the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales, said: "The recently published report is substantial and clearly has far-reaching consequences for Welsh Government's approach to future investment in infrastructure. These are recommendations on which we will want to reflect with the Welsh small business community.
"We recognise the significant challenges of moving to net zero, and the need for different conversations and behaviours to make that happen. However, it will need to be made clear how the priorities of the Review have been balanced against the need to grow and develop the Welsh economy and develop the businesses within it, as well as the opportunities to rebalance economic development to some of our rural and more-deprived areas.
"The headlines so far may cause concern for some businesses in areas of Wales which desperately need improvement of existing infrastructure, as well as the certainty of resilience of future infrastructure."
He added: "The reality for most small businesses is still a necessary dependence on road-based transport. We know there is significant interest and action among small businesses in the opportunities of decarbonising and moving to less carbon intensive transport, but this means that roads will still play an important part in developing the economy.
"Depending on the response to the Review, Welsh Government will have to go some way to demonstrate that any decisions won’t impact on regional competitiveness at a time when we seek to level up different regions of Wales.
"Whatever the Welsh Government response to this review in the longer term, there is a need for a very substantial increase in investment in public transport to get the modal shift the report sees as necessary and to get public transport to a point that supports small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and their employees.
"The Federation of Small Businesses in Wales will be gauging the response of our members over the coming days as we assess the recommendations of the review."
Paula Renzel, Welsh roads and climate campaigner for Transport Action Cymru, the Welsh branch of Transport Action Network (TAN), said the review was a "landmark announcement" with the Welsh Government "placing the climate and ecological emergency at the heart of decision making".
She said: "Despite their forward-thinking policies, it would have been all too easy to continue building roads as usual. Yet for the first time we have a Government within the UK that is prepared to do what’s best for future generations.
"Today’s decisions are welcome as they provide clarity for local communities on what is going to happen. Improving transport in Wales won’t be easy, especially with the savage cuts to public funding. However, the Panel’s focus has been on seeking lower cost solutions more likely to stand the test of time. This means local communities will get their problems addressed sooner rather than later.
"Now the hard work really begins as these decisions need to lead to real change on the ground. That means local leaders need to get on board with the new process, while the Welsh Government needs to find the resources to invest in a more sustainable future. This is just the start but it gives us real hope for the future.”
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